Ubuntu Africa Diaspora Summit 2026
The spirit of Ubuntu, the foundational African philosophy often translated as “I am because we are,” took center stage recently in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The inaugural Ubuntu African Diaspora Summit, convened by the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) in partnership with the Prince George’s County Multicultural Affairs Division, brought together a diverse group of scholars, diplomats, and community leaders.
GPF President James P. Flynn welcomed participants, saying, “The Global Peace Foundation proudly calls Prince George’s County home, and we are pleased to partner with the Multicultural Affairs Division to provide this summit. I know you will each contribute vital work toward peacebuilding across the continent and the world.”
The message was clear: the African Diaspora is no longer just a source of remittances, but a strategic partner in shaping the continent’s future.
A Philosophical Foundation for a New Era
“In Africa, being is relational. Ubuntu affirms that human beings are not isolated individuals, but interconnected members of a shared moral community.” Reverend Fr. Canice Enyiaka, GPF’s Director of African Peace Initiative and Engagement, noted that one’s humanity is affirmed through relationships with others, expressed through values and moral obligations such as compassion, solidarity, community, and service.
The summit opened with a powerful invocation of identity and interconnectedness by Pastor Christopher Zacharias and Imam Albert Sabir, setting a tone of interfaith respect and shared purpose.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mohammed Camara, chair of African Studies Department, Howard University
Keynote speaker Dr. Mohammed Camara, Chair of the Department of African Studies at Howard University, explored the depths of Ubuntu, defining it not merely as a sentiment, but as a “relational ethic” that should guide governance.
African Humanism: The belief that human dignity is a transcendental inheritance.
The Global African Collective (GAC): Dr. Camara introduced this term to move beyond the sometimes-divisive concept of “Diaspora,” aiming to unite Africans born on the continent with those in the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
Relational Ontology: The idea that a person is a person through other persons. When one member of the community is diminished, the entire community suffers.
The Diaspora: Africa’s “Sixth Region”
Panelists (from left to right) Mr. Martin Ezemma, Dr. Claire Nelson, Mr. Daniel Koroma, and Mr. Jose Villegas
With over 170 million people globally and 50 million in the United States alone, the African Diaspora represents an unparalleled reservoir of intellectual and financial capital. The summit highlighted that the African Union officially recognizes the Diaspora as the “Sixth Region” of the continent under its Agenda 2063.
A dynamic panel moderated by Vivien Sequeira showcased the practical application of Ubuntu principles across various sectors:
1. Economic Development
Martin Ezemma, director of International Business Development for Prince George’s County, discussed creating trade bridges between Maryland and nations such as Nigeria, Korea, and the UAE. He emphasized the opportunity to leverage the county’s strong base of African professionals, including PhDs, engineers, and entrepreneurs, as a force for global economic development.
2. Diplomacy and Community
Adwoa Smith, philanthropist and spouse of the Ambassador of Ghana, emphasized the need for servant leadership within the diplomatic corps, urging leaders to be accessible to their citizens and to move from “talking” to “action.”
3. Human Rights and Youth
Jose Villegas, executive director of the Office of Human Rights, highlighted the need to protect vulnerable communities, including victims of human trafficking, while also strengthening civic engagement among young people. “The youth will be the leaders of tomorrow,” he noted, “but they need the protections of government today.”
4. The Future: Space and Cyberspace
Dr. Claire Alicia Nelson provided a forward-looking vision, emphasizing that Africa’s thriving depends on mastering the “three guardrails”: Ocean Space, Outer Space, and Cyberspace. She shared initiatives supporting African students in satellite development, underscoring the need for Africa to be fully engaged in the technologies shaping the 21st century.
Looking Toward 2027
Closing remarks by Dr. Vincent Agubokwu, director of Multicultural Affairs, Office of the County Executive for Prince George’s County
The summit concluded with a commitment to growth. While this inaugural event was a milestone, plans are already underway for the 2027 Ubuntu Africa Diaspora Summit.
Representing County Executive Aisha Braveboy, Chris Osuji invited the community to a new state-of-the-art conference facility for the next iteration, with hopes for expanded participation from government, community, and international partners.
As the inaugural gathering came to a close, the message was clear: when the African Diaspora and the continent are connected through the spirit of Ubuntu, they become a powerful force for dignity, healing, peace, and progress.